Bartosz Huzarski holds on to most active rider's jersey

Today's 231-kilometer stage of the Tour de Pologne from Tarnow to Katowice ended, as expected, in a mass sprint. American Taylor Phinney (BMC) was nevertheless able to best the group as soloist at the end, with barely two meters lead as he crossed the finish line. Yesterday's third-place rider, Steele von Hoff (Garmin), and Belarussian rider Yauheni Hutarovich (AG2R) took second and third place, respectively. NetApp-Endura sprinter Daniel Schorn was luckier today and finished the race in 10th place. Bartosz Huzarski holds on to the most active rider's jersey.

At the beginning Cesare Benedetti was able to break away from the field in a group with eight fellow riders. For NetApp-Endura it was a good group, because none of the riders could have put the most active rider's jersey in danger. Cesare Benedetti sprinted through the first sprint stage and took second place, thereby ensuring that these points went to the NetApp-Endura team. Then he conserved his strength for the sprint finish. The breakaway group, whose lead extended to as much as four minutes, was caught in the final round. An attack by today's winner was underestimated by the field, which allowed him to preserve his lead until he reached the finish line.

"Our focus today was on the group. On the one hand each group has small chance to get through, and this way we were also able guarantee that nobody could put Bartosz's jersey in danger," commented Enrico Poitschke.

"Tomorrow's stage is not too difficult, but it is fairly hilly. That is great for Daniel, so we will ride for him again when it comes to a sprint finish tomorrow. We will also keep trying to secure the jersey, therefore we have to be represented in any group that may develop," explained Enrico Poitschke.

The fifth stage will take the peloton into the hilly areas of Poland. Over a distance of 160.5 kilometers, three category-one mountain classifications and three category-two classifications await the riders. After the first half of the stretch, the riders will cover two longer loops of 40.5 kilometers featuring four of the mentioned mountain classifications.